Improvement in processes for finjshing buckskins



-N1TED STATES PATENT JAMES KENT, 0F GLOVERSVIIJLE, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSES FOR FlNlSHlNG BUCKSKINS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent l lo. 182,368, dated September 19, 1876; application filed March 25, 1676.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES KENT, of Glovers-- ville, county of Fulton, State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Process for Finishing Buckskins and other leather made from deer, antelope, sheep or sheepfleshers, chamois or Indian-tan skins, which process is fully set forth in the following specification The object of this invention is to produce on the surface of the leather when finished a firm and fine knap, which'will resemble that of fine cloth or velvet, and with an even and unclouded color of any kind, shade, or tint desired.

In the practice of this invention 1 take skins of any kind when tanned and properly dressed for finishing in what is known by the trade as oil-dressed leather, employed solely for gloves, piano-actions, and like purposes, and apply by means of a brush to the flesh side of 'the skin, or to buffed leather finished on the grain side, first a solution of soap and water, fat liquorand water, or oil, lye and water, mixed with dye-color, if the skin is to be colored.

When a sufficient degree of color is given to the surface of the skin, I dust or sprinkle on the surface of the same, while the skin is yet wet, a composition of plasterofiparis and sand, in proportion of about equal quantities in bulk, though the quantities of eachmay be varied according to the nature of the skins to be operated with. The skins are then permitted to dry, after which they are submitted to the action of a butting-wheel or buffingblock, having an emery or equivalent gritty surface, when the buffing-wheel or its equivalent will operatewith the sand drawn down into the skin by the plaster-of-paris in the process of drying, andwork up a knap more or less fine, according to the nature of the fiber of the skin and the proportion of sand in the coating.

When it is desired to give to the skin a finer knap, the above process is to be repeated,

employingthe same means and manner of operations, excepting that the sand is reduced to about one-half the portion above stated, and in lieu thereof ground pumice-stone is substituted, when the skin is to be again submitted to the buffing wheel or block in the usual manner.

A still finer knap may be produced by a third application of pIaster Of-pariS and pumice-stone, without sand, by substantially the same process of manipulation and procedure, which may produce a finer silky appearance.

It should be understood that some judgment must be exercised as to the amount of sand to be used with the plaster-of-paris or pumice-stone, as the operator should take in consideration the nature of the skins to be operated with by this process. The tougher fiber would require more sand and pumicestone, while, with the weaker fiber, a less quantity should be employed, and the plasterof-paris increased.

Practice and observation will soon acquaint the manipulator with the proper porportions of each the skins should receive or their nature of fiber would require for a good and fine finish.

t It should also be understood that when the skins are to be finished white, no color is to be usedwith the soap solution or its described equivalents.

It should also be understood that in case the leather is to receive a very fine and uniform finish that the several repetitions of this process should be had, commencing with the use of sand and plaster-of-paris and ending with pumice-stone and plaster-of-paris, but lower grades may be finished with but two, or in some cases but one, process Tray or vat colored skins may be treated in the same manner as above, only the color may be dispensed with.

In the drying of the coating the plaster-ofparis drives the color down into the fiber of the skin, and, when submitted to the action of the buffing-wheel, protects the color, and, in-

yielding before the action of said wheel, produces a uniform abrading of the surface, while the sand and pumice-stone split up the fibers,

and reduce'them to an equal length.

This process may be applied to all kinds of tanages intended to be finished with a buffed 'knap on either the flesh or grain side of the leather.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

The within-described process for treating tanned skins, consisting of first applying the soap-and-water solution, or its described equivalent, as set forth, then sprinkling and brushing them with plaster-of-paris, send, and pulverized pumice-stone, each or all as described,

and, lastly, submitting them to the actibn of at buffing-wheel, or its described equivalent, Substantigtlly as and for the purpose set forth.

JAMES KENT. Witnesses:

GEO. A. THOMPSON, OHAs. J. SELKIRK. 

